Of Hotdogs,Bagels and Basil

Bagels-1

Krystal's POV

2009, 8:00 am

John F. Kennedy International Airport

"Freedom!!!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs with a closed fist and two arms raised once I stepped out of the airport and saw the bright skies of New York.

I left my suitcase at the Baggage area so that I can move freely while I take a tour of the city. I'll just claim it later before I board in again. Taking with me some needed essentials like my cellphone, camera, lip gloss (of course!), wallet and passport.

Since I still have 14 hrs to spare before I fly again to my original destination, I plan on taking a tour in the city. Most especially in Central Park. I've always dreamed of going there and just lost myself in it's beauty and glory. Then take a peek on some of the museums they have here.

This trip was a graduation gift from my Dad, well the plane ticket and pocket money. He knows that I've been dreaming of going here since I was a kid. He wanted to accompany me because he was thinking about my safety but I told him I can do it alone. And besides he's busy with the big case he's handling right now I don't want to bother him.

And I'm 18 for godsakes! I can do it I assured him. It will be like an appetizer before i head on to the main course. I can speak the language perfectly since I was raised in San Francisco and studied til middle school before we moved to Korea. And there's a MAP. Pheww!

I walked to the available taxi and entered it. The driver was a middle age brunette with a bright smile on her face.

"Good morning sweetheart! Where to?"

I smiled at her and sigh. "Take me to Central Park mam!"

"Central Park it is!" She gave me a thumbs up and started to drive the car. I opened the window to feel the wind on my face. So this is what it feels like to be traveling alone. No sermons from OCD parents, you can do all you want without nagging, you handle your time and eat whatever you want. Speaking of eat, I'm a bit hungry. I rubbed my aching belly shouting for breakfast. I only had coffee and biscuits while in flight. Better grab some quick breakfast before I start my tour.

"Are you hungry sweetheart? I suggest you have a Bagel and coffee later when I drop you off in the park. It's always a good match while strolling there I'm tellin' yah! " Maybe she heard my cookie monster-like stomach grumble that's why she said it hehe.

"Yeah.... I kinda skipped a meal while I'm on the plane a while ago. It was a long flight though.." I answered her while i looked outside the window of her taxi.

"Solo traveller huh.. Where you from sweetheart?"

"I flew from Seoul but I'm actually from SanFo.."

"I knew it! Your Californian accent gave you away but you looked like a KPop idol by the way sweetheart. Are you?" She looked at me from the rear view mirror and I sort of blushed with what she said.

I'm at fair height, my hair long and raven black. I got my features from my Dad but the stubbornness from my Mom. Some of my high school classmates says I looked like Yoona from SNSD but I just shrugged it off.

"Oh, gosh no.. no I'm not. Haha... But thank you for that." I shyly grinned at her.

She continue on our driving and a few more minutes and New York traffic, we arrived at our destination.

Central Park.

I paid for my cab fare and said goodbye to the nice lady driver. She wished me luck and said "I hope you enjoy your stay sweetheart. Who knows, you might meet someone who will make your stay memorable. " With that she drove away to the streets of the city. Weird but nice.